Serving others can certainly be a pleasure if we are able to commit ourselves to the process of “giving” and get into the proper mindset.

It’s a pretty basic principle to follow – nothing new here – but Lord knows there will be a time where the tables will be turned and we will need some help from others in which we would welcome the words, “my pleasure.”

Maybe this indeed questions altruism at it’s core. Can we truly benefit – feel better – after going out of our way to help others? Absolutely. It’s scientifically proven that endorphins are released from our brain to give us those “feel good” feelings inside.

There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll take that altruistic behavior in a minute.

How about you?

By the way, it’s been my pleasure.

In today’s loud and raucous world, it can be a challenge to listen within in order to hear our instincts’ call.

A place where our true self resides, but can only speak in whispers and not loud cry’s. This doesn’t mean what he/she is saying is not important or urgent. It’s just it’s nature to be this way. A bit quiet and unassertive that’s all.

Extremely wise and intuitive though. Always present. And certainly never taking time off from it’s guard tower.

Maybe we can quiet our feet and listen to it’s insightful voice whispering to us from within.

This has been said numerous times, but it bear’s worth repeating: today is a new day and anything and everything is possible.

We can fall into a groove or pattern in the way we do things or even our way of thinking and not even realize we are bringing all of our past mistakes, blunders and negative mind-set into this current moment.

We must – in those times – have amnesia in order to get out of our own way and start with a clean slate in more ways than one.

As of this new moment, nothing is written. We get to custom design our future right now. This is the beauty of a new day.

To wake and renew.

Great question.

One for the ages.

No doubt for me, that has changed over time. When I was younger I probably would have said financial independence. Not that I don’t want that now, but as I grow older I see the world through a slightly different lens than a few decades ago.

Peace of mind. Freedom to choose. Leaving the world having contributed something that makes this place better because of me and my actions. Empowering others and the elimination of suffering come to mind to me now.

Whether it’s feasible or not, I’m not sure. But, I suppose it’s something to shoot for.

My point: We must get clear on where we’re going if we ever want to show up at our destination.

Otherwise, we’re going to be driving ourselves in circles – otherwise called – going mad.

The other day I drove through town where there was a sign for a local running race that was coming up in the next few months. I have no plans to run in the race in which the course goes straight up the side of a mountain for 4.3 miles up to an elevation of over 2,200 feet and then turns around and comes back down for a total of 8.6 miles, but . . . it sure made me think about it. And I have ran it before. Twice.

Why do we have the desire to climb the highest mountains, dive into the deepest oceans and run for hundreds of miles at time?

I believe it’s because we have an innate desire to know what we’re capable of when we push ourselves to our limits. To reach deep and see what we’re made of. If we can face the fear of doing so. Which is a feat itself.

Often times, the decision to commit to the challenge is more painful than the actual event itself. But the end result is always the same: a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. A feeling of self-worth and self-respect. The sore muscles, bruises and pain will subside over time, but I would argue that your confidence does not. It may fade a bit – nothing another self-induced challenge can’t cure – but always remains deep within you like a valued resource sitting in the corner of your office waiting for you to call upon it’s use.

But, often times we can’t help ourselves from engaging in another activity in order to kindle that feeling once again.

And so, we reach deep.